Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

Upon the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Haroutiun Arslanian were awarded the highest Insignia of the Armenian Church. The benefactors from Lebanon were bestowed with the "St. Gregory the Illuminator" medal in appreciation of their many years of devoted service to the Armenian Church and the nation.

On Saturday June 22, the ceremony of awarding the medal was held in the formal reception hall of the Residence of the Catholicos (Veharan). Present for the evening were many members of the Arslanian family. As the evening began, the Pontifical Encyclical was brought into the hall during the singing of a church hymn, and was read by Very Rev. Fr. Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Encyclical of His Holiness states, in part: "We are very happy that you give meaning to your life by means of your numerous God-pleasing services to your nation and the Mother Church. For many decades, as an honorable member of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, you have been bringing your spiritual and moral contribution to the development of our national and church life, and to the protection of our sacred values."

Mr. and Mrs. Arslanian are the benefactors of the reconstruction and renovation of the Church of St. Haroutiun, in the village Azatan, Diocese of Shirak. The rebuilding was completed during the Pontificate of Catholicos of All Armenians His Holiness Karekin I, of blessed memory.

In his remarks, the Catholicos of All Armenians referred once again to the many years of dedicated service and patriotic activity of the Arslanian family, and expressed his assurance that their love and support of the Church and nation would continue for years to come. His Eminence Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, a friend of the Arslanian family; and His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak, addressed words of congratulations to the benefactors on this joyful occasion.

At the end of the evening, Mr. Haroutiun Arslanian and his son, Mr. Krikor Arslanian, both expressed their words of gratitude to His Holiness and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The elder Arslanian said, "Two factors are important and vital for the existence of the nation - the Mother Church and the native language, which are the foremost guarantors of patriotism" He also assured the gathering that he would continue his support for the Mother Church, through whatever means necessary.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin and numerous guests. The choirs of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Vazkenian Theological Seminary of Sevan provided the musical entertainment for the evening.